Mayo-Slathered Roast Chicken
Recipe from J. Kenji López-Alt
Roast chicken shouldn’t be complicated—it should be juicy, golden, and effortless. That’s why I slather mine in herbed mayo and flatten it flat. Mayo brings fat, egg proteins, and flavor that locks in moisture and browns like magic—without tasting like mayonnaise. Spatchcocking helps the dark meat and breast finish at the same time, so nothing dries out. Add a deeply flavorful jus made from the bird’s backbone, and you’ve got all the elegance of a roast, with half the fuss and unpredictability. This is how perfect roast chicken was always meant to be -- cooked in the Wonder Oven® Pro.
Watch the Recipe
25 min
45 min + 10 min rest
4
What You'll Need
Ingredients
For the Chicken & Mayonade
½ cup (120ml) mayonnaise
A big handful of mixed herbs (e.g., parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme), stems removed (reserve stems for jus)
2 medium garlic cloves, trimmed
2 scallions, trimmed
Small pinch of MSG (optional)
Large pinch of salt
A few big grinds of black pepper
Zest of 1 lemon (reserve juice for the jus)
1 whole chicken (3½–4½ lb / 1.5–2kg)
For the Jus
2 tsp (10ml) olive oil
1 medium onion, roughly chopped
2 ribs celery, roughly chopped
1 medium carrot, roughly chopped
Herb stems + a few extra sprigs
1 bay leaf
2 cups (480ml) low-sodium chicken stock
Juice from reserved lemon
2 tsp (10ml) soy sauce
3 tbsp (40g) unsalted butter
1 tbsp minced fresh parsley
Directions
Step 1
Preheat the Wonder Oven Pro to 425°F (220°C) on Roast.
Step 2
Make the mayonade: In a container just large enough to fit an immersion blender (or in a food processor), combine the mayonnaise, herb leaves (save the stems for later), garlic, scallions, MSG (if using), salt, pepper, and lemon zest. Blend until the mixture is smooth and the herbs are fully broken down.
Step 3
Prepare the chicken: Using poultry shears, cut along both sides of the chicken’s backbone to remove it. Snip the backbone into a few pieces and set them aside for the jus.
Step 4
Flip the chicken so it’s skin-side up. Spread the legs outward, then press down firmly on the breastbone until you feel a crack and the chicken flattens. Tuck the wing tips behind the breasts to secure them.
Step 5
Coat the chicken: Rub the herby mayo mixture all over the chicken, making sure to cover every surface—including underneath the skin where possible.
Step 6
Transfer the chicken, skin-side up, to the Wonder Oven Pro bake pan.
Step 7
Roast the chicken for about 45 minutes on the middle rack, until the skin is deeply golden and a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast registers 145–150°F (63–66°C). Remove from the oven and rest for 10 minutes before carving.
Step 8
Meanwhile, make the jus: While the chicken is roasting, heat olive oil in the Mini Perfect Pot Pro over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion, celery, carrot, and reserved backbone pieces. Cook for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until everything is lightly browned.
Step 9
Add the herb stems, bay leaf, and chicken stock to the pot. Bring to a simmer and cook until the chicken is done roasting.
Step 10
Strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve back into the Mini Perfect Pot Pro, discarding the solids. Return the liquid to medium-high heat.
Step 11
Add a squeeze of lemon juice, soy sauce, and the butter. Boil hard to reduce into a rich, glossy jus. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Step 12
Stir in chopped parsley just before serving. Carve the rested chicken and serve with warm jus spooned over top—plus extra on the side.
J. Kenji López-Alt
J. Kenji López-Alt is a chef, food writer, and bestselling author known for blending science and cooking with an approachable, curious style. A graduate of MIT, he shifted from biology to kitchens, working in fine dining before becoming managing culinary director at Serious Eats. His column “The Food Lab” earned a James Beard Award and evolved into a New York Times bestselling cookbook. He later authored The Wok and Every Night Is Pizza Night. Today, Kenji shares recipes and experiments through his books, YouTube channel, and social media, inspiring home cooks worldwide.
